Business Details
Specialist Family Law Services Melbourne
At Berry Family Law, we specialise exclusively in family law, offering expert guidance through complex legal matters. Our team of eight dedicated lawyers, including three Accredited Family Law Specialists, brings decades of combined experience to every case. We prioritise empathy and active listening, recognising the emotional challenges clients face during separations, divorces, and family disputes. Our practice focuses on achieving practical solutions for property settlements, parenting arrangements, spousal maintenance, and financial agreements, including those for same-sex couples. We maintain rigorous professional standards, with specialists meeting stringent accreditation requirements through the Law Institute of Victoria.Our approach balances technical legal expertise with compassionate client care, aiming to stabilise clients' lives during transitional periods. We operate from Melbourne's CBD and regional offices, utilising both in-person consultations and digital communication tools. Our high pre-court settlement rates reflect our commitment to resolving matters efficiently while protecting clients' interests. We exclusively practice family law to ensure deep specialisation in this evolving legal field, maintaining ongoing professional development to stay current with legislative changes. Our reputation as industry leaders is reinforced through regular contributions to legal education programs and collaboration with forensic experts.
Services
Separation and Divorce
Parenting Arrangements
Spousal Maintenance
Financial Agreements
Same-Sex Disputes
Highlights and features
- Three Accredited Family Law Specialists in our team of eight lawyers
- Specialise exclusively in family law for deeper expertise
- High pre-court settlement rates through effective negotiation
- Empathetic approach to sensitive family legal matters
- Regular contributors to legal education programs and industry development
Associations and certifications
- Accredited Family Law Specialists
What people say
Compassionate support
Legal expertise
Efficient resolutions
Empathetic approach
Practical solutions
Services
Separation and Divorce
Guiding clients through legal separation and divorce processes with compassionate support. We handle all aspects including documentation, court representation, and post-divorce matters. Our accredited specialists ensure proper legal procedures while minimising emotional stress during transitional periods for clients across Melbourne.
Parenting Arrangements
Creating tailored parenting plans and court orders for child custody arrangements. We address living schedules, decision-making responsibilities, and dispute resolution mechanisms. Our approach prioritises children's best interests while protecting parental rights through negotiated agreements or litigation support in Melbourne family courts.
Financial Agreements
Drafting binding financial agreements for property division during separations. We handle complex asset distributions including real estate, businesses, and superannuation. Our specialists ensure legal protection through properly documented agreements or court orders to prevent future disputes in family law matters across Victoria.
Spousal Maintenance
Providing expert guidance on spousal maintenance obligations and entitlements. We assess financial circumstances to determine fair support arrangements through negotiated agreements or court applications. Our Melbourne-based specialists handle both temporary and long-term maintenance solutions under Australian family law.
Same-Sex Disputes
Specialist legal support for same-sex relationship disputes including property division and parenting rights. We handle de facto relationship matters with equal legal consideration under family law. Our accredited specialists ensure proper documentation and court representation for same-sex couples in Melbourne and regional Victoria.
People
James Turnbull
Managing Partner
With over 25 years' experience, James Turnbull specialises in divorce law, focusing on listening to client needs and providing pragmatic advice. He became an Accredited Family Law Specialist in 1997 and leads our specialist team.
Radu Catrina
Partner
Accredited Family Law Specialist with expertise in complex family law matters. Radu Catrina combines technical knowledge with practical solutions, holding qualifications including Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and BA (Hons).
Michael Lipshutz
Partner
Award-winning lawyer Michael Lipshutz OAM provides expert representation in family law matters. With extensive experience in complex property settlements and dispute resolution, he maintains specialist accreditation through ongoing professional development.
Valerie Yiannikopoulos
Partner
Valerie Yiannikopoulos offers pragmatic solutions for family law issues, transforming emotional challenges into manageable processes. She holds qualifications including Bachelor of Arts and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
Jethro Fries
Partner
Jethro Fries combines legal expertise with compassionate representation, holding advanced degrees including LL.M. He focuses on providing clear advice to help clients achieve optimal outcomes in family law matters.
Questions
What family law services do you specialise in?
We specialise in separation/divorce, parenting arrangements, spousal maintenance, financial agreements, and same-sex disputes with accredited specialists.
How do you handle property settlements?
We negotiate binding financial agreements or court orders to divide assets including property, businesses, and superannuation with clear legal protection.
Can you help with child custody arrangements?
We assist with parenting plans and court orders focusing on children's best interests, including time-sharing and decision-making responsibilities.
Do you offer legal representation for same-sex couples?
Yes, we provide equal legal support for same-sex couples including property settlements and parenting arrangements under family law.
What are the benefits of using accredited specialists?
Our accredited specialists meet strict professional standards with minimum 5 years' experience and ongoing development in family law practice.
How can I formalise a property agreement?
We help create binding financial agreements or consent orders to legally formalise property settlements with full protection for both parties.
